The all-star Q102 Jingle Ball concert Wednesday at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, N.J., provided two hours of great music by acts such as Justin Bieber, Flo Rida, Train and The Script.

Unfortunately, it was a five-hour concert that also included Adam Lambert, Charice and others.

And a two-fifths success rating was about right for the annual extravaganza put on by radio station WIOQ-FM, 102.1.

Justin BieberPhotos by Brian Hineline/Special to The Morning Call

The show had some really good moments, especially from Flo Rida, who even wasn’t scheduled to perform but replaced the unexplained absence of Bruno Mars. But mostly it was a dragging, desultory affair whose excruciating waits between sometimes frustratingly short acts sapped any energy some of them generated.

Headliner Justin Bieber did what was expected of him, giving a 42-minute set of nine songs that was heavily choreographed. And he clearly was the act the sell-out, mostly-young-female crowd of 15,000 was waiting for: They screamed, sang along, waved their arms and jumped when Bieber told them to, and sometimes when he didn’t.

Oh, and judging by the sea of camera and cell phone lights, they apparently taped everything.

But perhaps the most interesting part of Bieber’s performance was his dealing with a voice obviously in the throes of puberty. On “Eenie Meenie,” for example, his voice was squeaky and clearly different – not in an unpleasant way -- and he didn’t even reach for the high notes. On “Somebody to Love” it also was strained.

On “Never Say Never,” it didn’t look like he was singing, and there were times during the night when he was very obviously singing along with recorded tracks; his “voice” would be coming out of the speakers high and clear while his microphone wasn’t even at his mouth.

He was best on “Pray,” the new song from his acoustic album. Even though his voice sounded scratchy and cracked, it fit the intensity of the slower, serious song. And he played it to the hilt, dropping to his knees for the finish.

Adam Lambert

His dancing, though, was better than ever. With four dancers, he moonwalked, did one-arm handstands, spun and twisted his feet impressively

There were some disappointing parts to his set. Despite the brevity, he spent a good two minutes on band introductions, did five minutes covering Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” (during which he also took over the drums for a solo.) He even showed the trailer to his upcoming movie “Never Say Never.”

And before the encore “Baby” – which he sang in a noticeably lower register -- he went through a long introduction, teasingly asking the crowd what they wanted to hear.

But he still was very good, and the crowd seemed happy with whatever he did.

Of course, the crowd also seemed happy with Adam Lambert, who preceded Bieber.

But in truth, Lambert appeared to have lost all the artistic growth he exhibited at his sold-out Musikfest show in August.

Wearing a goofy Kate Gosselin hairdo, he fell back into a weird warble through an eight-song, 35-minute set, eschewing the better singing he exhibited in Bethlehem.

Flo Rida

He sang in a screechy, affected voice on “Fever,” “Strut” and “Sure Fire Winners.” He started “Sleepwalker” nicely, but again ended up screaming. It even sounded like he sang “”Whataya Want from Me” (for which he got a Grammy nomination last week) through his nose, although the instrumentation was good.

It wasn’t as if Lambert didn’t know how to sing well. “Aftermath,” with him on a stool accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, was very good. He sang high, but it was appropriate to the song. And the closing “If I Had You” also was good. And he did have the audience – they sang along, thrust their fists and, when he said “jump,” they did.

Thanks goodness for Flo Rida, whose 25-minute set was the best of the night.

He squeezed in short versions of nine songs with delightfully speedy rapping – starting right away on “In the Ayer” and crazy fast, with a good beat, on “Sugar” – and nice singing on “Who Dat Girl,” which was done on a stage empty except for him and a DJ. (Continued)

He also played to the crowd, handing out roses on “Come With Me,” pouring a bottle of water on himself, taking off his T-shirt to reveal a beater shirt, then taking that off and autographing towels and throwing them to the crowd.

He even rode on a bodyguard’s shoulders into the crowd during the closing “Club Can’t Handle Me.”

Pat Monahan of Train

Of course, it helps to have great songs, such as “Right Round” and “Low.” And despite being a Justin Bieber crowd, the audience went wild, screaming along the words, jumping and waving their arms.

Train also was excellent in a too-short, 20-minute set of five songs.

Lead singer Pat Monahan seems to have been reborn with the revived popularity “Hey Soul Sister” has brought the group, and he sang each song for his life – and in strong voice.

They started with the latest single “If It’s Love,” sang “Drops of Jupiter” with fervor and were very good on “Marry Me,” a slow, touching wedding song that Monahan sang backed by only an acoustic guitar, and for which he also came out into the audience.

The crowd also sang along to Train’s songs – even the older ones – although on “Marry Me,” Monahan teasingly told them, “If I were Justin Bieber you would have sang that so much louder.”

He let them sing the choruses on “Hey Soul Sister.”

They also did one of just two Christmas songs all night, their “Shake Up Christmas.”

But like Lambert, Selena Gomez also was less engaging than she was at her Musikfest concert. In a four-song, 15-minute set, she sang two thumping songs, “Round and Round” and “Off the Chain”; a slower “A Year Without Rain,” on which she sang better in her lower register; and her big hit, “Naturally.”

Selena Gomez

Wearing high-slit harem pants and barefoot, she was energetic – bouncing and stalking the stage, but never really seemed to connect. And she looked too thin, too.

Charice, who played at Allentown’s Mayfair festival in May, did a 10-minute set of her hit “Pyramid,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and a medley of Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” Tao Cruz’s “Dynamite,” Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Usher’s “DJ’s Got Us Falling in Love Again.”

Seated because she has her foot in a soft cast, she seemed to have scaled back her over-the-top voice, for the better. But she ended with an unnecessary Christina Aguilera vocal run.

Jesse McCartney made a brief appearance, doing an a cappella version of his new single “Shake” before introducing Train. And Cody Simpson introduced Flo Rida, though it would have been much cooler to see them do their hit “Iyiyi.”

One more disappointments for the night was opener The Script – but only because their set was far too brief. The opening “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” was soft and gentle, and lead singer Danny O'Donoghue’s high voice and falsetto were great. Their new single “For The First Time” also was nice.

The Script's Danny O'Donoghue

And their big hit, “Breakeven,” was ragged but also great. “Are you ready for a singalong?” O’Donoghue asked the crowd before starting that sing. And, indeed, it did become that.

Awww, I'm not mad at you John for your transparent attempt to gain hits on your website by dissing Adam. Actually, you have given Adam a few great reviews in the past. But by giving a lip-synching, sqeaky singer a pass you become the embodiement of what is wrong with the music indusry today. People pay good money to hear artists SING.I can listen to the CD at home. Britney was booed in Australia for lip-syching, so audiences are beginning to tire of it. Why do you self proclaimed pundits still think it is acceptable? Just askin'.

Posted By: Elizabeth | Dec 9, 2010 11:54:53 AM

Response to Klein: please bear in mind that the audience last night, 15,000 according to the reviewer, was made up predominately of tweens and teens. Adam always tempers his performances to suit his audience. His dance moves were very tame for that reason. So no, that audience was not fully Adamized last night, but the vocals were stellar, as usual. IMHO

Posted By: Randal | Dec 9, 2010 12:05:11 PM

well I geuss people will read and respond to you for once..too bad its not for the right reasons...You are an idiot

Since when is lip-synching a good thing as opposed to real singing, and really great singing in the case of Adam Lambert? How can Mr. Moser (who is this guy?) say that Beiber is great and Lambert is not when he's not even comparing the same thing. Lip-synching is NOT singing. Those creaky, schreachy Beiber notes don't sound so great either.

So what gives? Seems pretty obvious that Moser doesn't like Adam Lambert. That's okay, I'm sure Adam doesn't care, but if you're going to bash someone for "bad" singing try and develop a real argument for why one is better than the other.

If I didn't know better (ahem), I would think I'm smelling the horrible stench of homophobia here hiding out not too successfully in a faux non-review by a faux non-reviewer of music.

To whoever runs this blog, can't you find a music "reviewer" who actually knows something about music and who isn't so obviously biased? Just askin...

Posted By: Salome | Dec 9, 2010 12:12:53 PM

This is the same guy who said Kesha can "actually sing" with her voice "squeezed through a synthesizer". Goofball.

Posted By: aki | Dec 9, 2010 12:13:03 PM

Adam Lambert is a Brilliant Singer and Performer.
Bieber is an autotuned lipsynching processed character produced by Usher.
I have just on question..
WHO THE HELL HIRED YOU TO BE A MUSIC CRITIC??

Posted By: Sam | Dec 9, 2010 12:13:55 PM

Since when is lip-synching a good thing as opposed to real singing, and really great singing in the case of Adam Lambert? How can Mr. Moser (who is this guy?) say that Beiber is great and Lambert is not when he's not even comparing the same thing. Lip-synching is NOT singing. Those creaky, schreachy Beiber notes don't sound so great either.

So what gives? Seems pretty obvious that Moser doesn't like Adam Lambert. That's okay, I'm sure Adam doesn't care, but if you're going to bash someone for "bad" singing try and develop a real argument for why one is better than the other.

If I didn't know better (ahem), I would think I'm smelling the horrible stench of homophobia here hiding out not too successfully in a faux non-review by a faux non-reviewer of music.

To whoever runs this blog, can't you find a music "reviewer" who actually knows something about music and who isn't so obviously biased? Just askin...

Posted By: Salome | Dec 9, 2010 12:16:16 PM

adam killed it at the concert...the only one who did...moser is a fool

Posted By: kat23morg | Dec 9, 2010 12:18:15 PM

Unless you are seeking hits simply by invoking Adam Lambert's name, as so many do; I have some real concerns re: how easy it is for you to be so dismissive of this incredibly talented and sophisticated 28 year old (who has been developing his artistry for 20 years thus far).

First, I'm wondering about your physical capability to actually HEAR (and thus appreciate) the tonal qualities, incredible pitch, rhythmic abilities, timing, passagio, control, power, sheer array of colors and flavors, and other nuances in such an astonishing, multi-octave singing voice as Adam's. In one interview Adam said he'd had 12 years of vocal training, beginning at age 10, with operatic training during teenage years. This may account for how magnificent his voice continues to be after a 110 + sold out show tour. Hearing him live is a privilege.

And, re: Adam's appearance?! I was blown away by how wonderful he looked last night. This man--certainly the most beautiful human being I've ever laid eyes on (up close in person)--could not only be a fashion model; his sense of design and style is cutting edge, informed by the latest in Japan, Paris, Milan, the U.S.

Sadly, I think Adam operates at a level that's just too sophisticated for most in the U.S. His vocal and performance abilities, stage know-how, and fashion sense go right over the heads of most here. I'm afraid we will lose this national treasure to Europe, i.e. Paris, where he spent all last week. Obviously your level of sophistication is along the line of 7-10 year olds. Enough said.

Posted By: Kentucky Fan | Dec 9, 2010 12:30:34 PM

Typical John Moser pisshead comments.

Posted By: Naomi | Dec 9, 2010 12:35:50 PM

We knew your impartiality to Adam Lambert couldn't last, John. Adam had a fabulous show, sang beautifully, and did it LIVE with no autotune and lip-synching, but I guess that doesn't count in your estimation. I would have loved to see the review if he HAD lip synched. Should have known better than to click on here.
Marry Christmas.

Posted By: Dakota | Dec 9, 2010 12:43:35 PM

CLUELESS Review! I'm outta here!!!!

Posted By: Holly | Dec 9, 2010 12:43:50 PM

Freakin review!!!! You don't know what you're talk in about... ADAM was awesome last night!!!!

Posted By: Pia | Dec 9, 2010 12:47:49 PM

this review doesnt look credible. the writers dont look credible too. Low taste in whats really good and not. Old fashioned and dont know high end performers. The site itself doesnt look credible. Its ugly website. they are stupid to criticize someone upscale whom them doesnt have that edge to make a good judgement. this is a freak site!

I was there and I'm totally confused by this review. Adam Stole the show, it's so blantly clear that you wouldn't like Adam's performance no matter what he did. Justin Bieber Sucked and he got artist of the year.?

Posted By: brownie | Dec 9, 2010 12:54:32 PM

I think you a hack reviewer that was tone deaf and a Beiber Barbie guy. You prefer lip syncing pubescent screeching to a seasoned amazing vocalist like Adam Lambert? What are you, 12?”

Posted By: Cjohnson | Dec 9, 2010 12:58:39 PM

if an artist wants to lip sync then ill listen to my ipod instead or watch a music video. true artist sings live and always should be regarded highly than people that don't or can't sing.

Posted By: pb | Dec 9, 2010 1:00:24 PM

No.....just NO. Everybody knows who's the best singer ---> Adam.

Posted By: Elin | Dec 9, 2010 1:02:01 PM

I was at this concert last night and Adam Lambert was PHENOMENAL! I don't know where this reviewer is coming from. Adam looked gorgeous, vocals were spot-on and awesome and was the best performer of the evening. So take your hate elsewhere, it is untrue in this case. And no way did Adam look or sound tired at the Jingle Ball - he was AMAZING !!

Posted By: nickiet | Dec 9, 2010 1:04:13 PM

ur not a nice man

im sorry I was there, to say adam lambert was bad is wrong he was definitely not the worst..this is a radio show for top 40 audience, not for old people, so I guess u prefer the gyrating of half naked flo-rida pouring water on him-self, and the lip syncing of justin? and u are supposed 2 be a music critic..

screams were loudest for justin and adam.i know you heard that.

too much personal opinion, and not enough objectivity..as ur job calls for.It should not be about what u prefer in music but rather what the audience responds 2 and all three got the most screams last nite..out of everyone..everyone.

looks like u just wanted some attention here, but really the worse? sooo not truth and you know it.

karma...
hope u have a nice life.

Posted By: notnice | Dec 9, 2010 1:06:23 PM

I noticed at some venues (went to 8 GN's) that with bad sound mixing, Adam does sound nasally or chipmonkey! But on the videos, he sounds like his gorgeous self! Blame it on the venue, not Adam! Loved his hair,BTW!

Posted By: outlawbooster | Dec 9, 2010 1:07:57 PM

Ok, having been there it is plain to see you weren't! Adam Lambert showed evfery other artist there what REAL singing is, did you even notice the kipsinging by others? Did you even notice the mics turned down and whispering over their tracks by some? I xcahllenge you to come up with any other artist who could have matched those insane vocals that came out of Lambert's mouth last night, ya, there is no one! He rocked the place and if it wasn't for him I would want my money back! Your hate for him is stifling you from enjoying the best live singer America has to offer and that my friend is not only the truth but fact! Calling Adam's ability to sing in that insane range pitch perfect screaming is mochery to what real artists strive for! I suggest you apologise to all your readers and admit you wrote this through blinded eyes of hate and take a listen to the YT videos that are going around the net right now of Adam's excellence last night and rewrite an honest review! Shame on you!

Ok Moser. We get it. You don't like the gay guy but what is new. You need to get over yourself. Adam is here to stay even if you don't like it. Why don't you just write about Kris Allen's dog like all of his fans do and leave Adam alone. Of course Adam was going to tone it down a bit with so many younsters in the audience. If he had not you would have been complaining about that. You really need to GTFU!

Posted By: Kit | Dec 9, 2010 1:24:22 PM

oh...this must be that Moser guy that everyone on Adam's forums talks about hating Adam....YUP...this is him alright!

Posted By: sandee | Dec 9, 2010 1:24:35 PM

So is Adam the only male artist that you need to compare to a woman? You have gone past reviewing this artist to insulting and bullying. Apparently the fact that he is homsexual is so disturbing to you that you are not credible or rational when it comes to him. He could not go crazy in front of all those young people. And of course this was not the same performance as Muskifest cause it was not Muskifest. You are a dissapointment. If grownups can't treat people who are gay with any kind of respect how can we expect the young people to do better. So very dissapointing.

Posted By: Blake | Dec 9, 2010 1:42:20 PM

People, people did you all miss Adams performance of Aftermath....take note.

Posted By: Kate | Dec 9, 2010 1:46:41 PM

Mr. Mosley, put your claws away. Even your misically uneducated rant will not change the fact that Adam Lambert can sing, and sings really really well. He has tirelessly performed 113 shows in last 6 months without a single cancellation and with perfect pitch everytime. He has maintained his professionalism at highest level and perhaps you should learn little of that from him.

Posted By: Aquarius | Dec 9, 2010 1:50:52 PM

I beg the pardon, it's Mr. Moser, and not Mosley. Sorry about that.

Posted By: Aquarius | Dec 9, 2010 1:59:59 PM

So, you were out of the room during Adam's set, yes? It's the only explanation really.

Posted By: Karin | Dec 9, 2010 2:13:24 PM

Haven you guys figured this out yet. He does this because he knows Adam's fans will go ape s__it. Please just ignore this review - we know it is not representative of Adams hugh talent.

Posted By: mickivick | Dec 9, 2010 2:52:43 PM

LOLOLOLOLOLOLing!!! You are a very strange and untruthful writer. So lip syncing, autotune, and sqeaky voice are better than remarkable true singing voice and powerful insane vocal? Huh, are we even living on the same planet?
BTW, @chrys, ppl are not over protecting Adam. They have their own opinions and disagreements too. So, I think they are allowed to post their points.
To Moser, this will be the very last time I will ever click on any of your "articles."

Posted By: Joseph | Dec 9, 2010 2:53:41 PM

Horrible blog/article ! This person can't even write. My best bet is this person is in dire need of hits, so he figures that bashing Adam is the way to get a lot of hits.How pathetic- I will never read an article from Moser Da Poser !

Posted By: Cris | Dec 9, 2010 3:01:07 PM

1. charice
2. adam lambert
3 justin

You are so lame!

Posted By: jay-o | Dec 9, 2010 3:05:36 PM

Hmmm. Kate Gosselin haircut? Apparently that's a hom ophobic reference since Adam is a man and Kate Goslyn's hair is nothing bad. So the "insult" is that this man is wearing a woman's haircut? Is THAT the "music critic's" opinion? Hateful.

Posted By: al | Dec 9, 2010 3:12:25 PM

John you are such a source of amusement to me. Weeks spent giving a daily update on Adam's ticket sales for Musikfest, to the point where I actually thought you might be obsessive compulsive. Now there's this 'review', suggesting Adam has had no artistic growth since August,(clearly an age ago). My, that subsequent four months of touring to sold out venues both in the States and internationally has clearly taught him nothing. All he can do is go out there and sing the beejesus, out of everything and entertain people like the incredible showman he is, what a letdown eh?.

If Adam gets that Grammy I hope you have a hat to eat, I'll post you some salt and pepper from the UK, where incidentally he tore the place up. Sleep well, pure thoughts and dreams John.

Posted By: Jay | Dec 9, 2010 3:13:08 PM

Well ... since you are entitled to your opinion that must mean I am entitled to mine. My opinion is that you are a tone deaf ADAM LAMBERT basher & do not write UNbiased reviews & don't give a rat's behind whether we agree or not because all you are after are HITS for your crappy articles. And here I am giving you just what you wanted. D**N YOU!! MOSER!!

Posted By: tess4ADAM | Dec 9, 2010 3:13:16 PM

As people have pointed out, these days there's video evidence of concerts and a quick listen of the vids from last night Jingle Ball confirm that Mr. Moser really has no business being a music critic when he's as tone deaf and biased as he clearly is.

Oh hai luckily there are uTubes of all Adam's songs at the Jingle Ball so we can see this guy is clueless. Or deaf. Or just a jerk.

Posted By: Hephaestion. | Dec 9, 2010 3:21:26 PM

I was at the concert last night with my two teenage daughters and Adam was fantastic along with a few others. His past week in Paris must have been relaxing and restful for him. Vocals were stellar.

Posted By: kathy | Dec 9, 2010 3:31:07 PM

Mr. Moser! When you take lorazepam and vodka in the same time never go to any concerts and write any review next morning. Because this combination has very BAD side effect-you forget what was happend night before. Relax,open youtube and enjoy yor favorite JB. It will make you feel much better.

Posted By: delilah5 | Dec 9, 2010 3:46:09 PM

omg that Beiber video tho.

Posted By: Hephaestion. | Dec 9, 2010 3:50:39 PM

Dude you should be fired, you clearly don't know what 'real' music is. Why don't you re-write the review basing it only on the artists who don't use autotune, lipsync or have over produced vocals. Adam and Charice are the only authentic voices on the bill. Get your hearing checked dude

Posted By: Cindy | Dec 9, 2010 3:57:27 PM

Okay, so what do you do to distiguish your article when you need hits to your site? Write a bad review about Adam Lambert. He never gets a bad review, so we all looked, right? Please be more responsible with your reporting - we are actually looking for the truth.

Posted By: MadeYouLook | Dec 9, 2010 3:59:25 PM

Your review has no merit, your criticisms have the flavor of bitter lemon, squeezed up and sour. I choose not to believe you.

Posted By: Britte | Dec 9, 2010 4:03:30 PM

Not even a review just a peice of blah words throen together to get hits on your site. Congratulations it was all crap but it worked.

Posted By: jan | Dec 9, 2010 4:14:21 PM

BAH HUMBUG !!!! A Scrooge of a review !! Mr Moser,I get the distinct impression from reading your review that you really don't enjoy music in any way shape or form !

Posted By: Judy | Dec 9, 2010 4:16:09 PM

all the other reviews said Adam does not dissappoint and he was in very fine form. I guess if you call a 4 ovtave rangeon the high end a scream or a shriek, you brand yourself as not knowing anything about music, scales, voice.... so the review is really not much.Especially coming off a world tour 113 sold out shows.... and he still rocked it last night. Enjoy your autotune dudes.

Posted By: Knight | Dec 9, 2010 4:24:13 PM

Moser=Loser. so sorry you aren't feeling well. this has to be one of the reasons for this review or maybe it's your Loser l
Life, either way, geez get another job so that others can do a better job at this one.

Posted By: 2t2tag | Dec 9, 2010 4:24:47 PM

As far as you don't want to save my comment, please, remove my name and e-mail address from this page.
Just don't write review about Adam.

Posted By: delilah5 | Dec 9, 2010 4:25:32 PM

Woah you must have ur head up Bieber's ass! Adam was the best one at that! Someone needs a hearing aid. I'd like to hear you sing as well as Adam!

JOHN J. MOSER has been around long enough to have seen the original Ramones in a small club in New Jersey, U2 from the fourth row of a theater and Bob Dylan's born-again tours. But he also has the number for All-American Rejects' Nick Wheeler on his cell phone, wrote the first story ever done on Jack's Mannequin and hung out in Wiz Khalifa's hotel room.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

JODI DUCKETT: As The Morning Call's assistant features editor responsible for entertainment, she spends a lot of time surveying the music landscape and sizing up the Valley's festivals and club scene. She's no expert, but enjoys it all — especially artists who resonated in her younger years, such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Tracy Chapman, Santana and Joni Mitchell.

KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS enjoys all types of music, from roots rock and folk to classical and opera. Music has been a constant backdrop to her life since she first sat on the steps listening to her mother’s Broadway LPs when she was 2. Since becoming a mother herself, she has become well-versed on the growing genre of kindie rock and, with her son in tow, can boast she has seen a majority of the current kid’s performers from Dan Zanes to They Might Be Giants.

STEPHANIE SIGAFOOS: A Jersey native raised in Northeast PA, she was reared in a house littered with 8-tracks, 45s and cassette tapes of The Beatles, Elvis, Meatloaf and Billy Joel. She also grew up on the sounds of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw and can be found traversing the countryside in search of the sounds of a steel guitar. A fan of today's 'new country,' she digs mainstream/country-pop crossovers like Lady Antebellum and Sugarland and other artists that illustrate the genre's diversity.